In the past the death care industry has been slow to adopt new technology. The resistance to legalize water cremation and natural organic reduction is proof that change can be slow for funeral services.
But lately the death care industry has been rapidly advancing. There have been major shifts in the type of disposition that is being selected, greater interest in green funeral services and changes in the way that families honor their loved one.
One of the latest trends is the emergence of virtual reality (VR) memorials. The service is quickly catching on as more people open up to the “rest in pixels” concept.
What is a VR Memorial Service?
A VR memorial service isn’t just an upgraded version of a livestream memorial. With a VR memorial a 3D environment is created that can be virtually explored by wearing a VR headset and sometimes using handheld controllers. The devices allow the user to look all around the 360-degree virtual space and even move through it just as they would in real life.
There are a lot of possibilities with a VR memorial service, which is why they are quickly catching on. Already there are different types of virtual reality memorials that you can choose from, which plays right into people’s desire for more personalized death care services.
More Immersive Livestream Services
Virtual reality technology can be used to make a livestream memorial service more immersive for people who are attending remotely. The venue where the live memorial is being held can be recreated and the event can be recorded then embedded into the virtual world.
Custom-Designed Remembrance Space
Instead of replicating the real world environment where a memorial service will be held, a VR memorial can take place in a custom-designed remembrance space. It can mimic a place that was memorable for the deceased or be totally unique and unlike anything you would find in the real world.
Interactive Photo Gallery
Some VR memorials walk you through an interactive photo gallery. The family can choose a collection of photos that are set up in a VR environment that’s similar to real world exhibition space. The visitor can interact with the photos by zooming in to see details and selecting a photo to hear an audio explaining what the picture is about or where it was taken.
Long-Term Memorial Memory Bubble
A VR memorial can be set up so that it can be revisited again and again by family and friends. It’s what’s being called a “memory bubble” by VR creators. The memory bubble could be a 360-degree recording of a live memorial or a completely virtual space like the ones noted above.
Why VR Memorial Services Are Catching On
The VR memorial trend is part of a larger change within the death care industry that aims to modernize things. People aren’t as tied to tradition and religious rites, which has given way for new options that provide distinct advantages over the old way of doing things.
It’s also changing the way people think about memorializing loved ones in general. Rather than being a singular event that is experienced once, VR memorials can be a long-term tribute that can be updated and added to over time. You can even create a lifelike avatar of the deceased that can be a part of the virtual memorial.
Why this might sound too outside the box of some, more people are opening up to the idea of VR memorials because:
It’s More Inclusive
Like livestreaming services, VR memorials allow people to participate regardless of their physical location. And with immersive VR technology it’s almost like they’re physically at the service when they could be thousands of miles away.
It Can Be More Affordable Than a Live Service
With how expensive many death care services are, it’s no surprise that some people are drawn to the idea of a VR memorial service because it can be more cost-effective. Renting a venue, paying for keepsakes and providing refreshments all adds up. With a VR memorial you can limit the expense to the technological service alone, which can end up being a lot less.
It Expands the Possibilities
VR goes beyond what can be done in real life because you can create the environment. They can be set up to look like a funeral home, a real-life place that was meaningful to the deceased or a custom environment that is unlike any real world location.
It Can Be Revisited
Unlike a traditional funeral service and many livestream memorials, a VR memorial is designed to be more than a one-time affair. People can revisit the memorial as many times as they want. This could prove to be a huge benefit for people who lose a loved one when they are young and aren’t able to fully experience the memorial like they would later in life.
It’s Considered More Eco-Friendly
When compared to an in-person service, VR memorials are more eco-friendly. Fewer resources are required, people don’t have to travel to the event and no waste is generated.
Many death care industry insiders are predicting that VR memorials will soon become the norm rather than a novelty. At the pace that funeral services are evolving today that could very well be the case. It’s also likely given that more Millennials are planning funeral services for aging parents, and they are more open to technologically-driven options compared to earlier generations.
Cremation.Green is a funeral home that is always at the forefront of technology. We continuously invest in improving our services to provide families with eco-friendly death care options that are also affordable. If you’d like to know more please explore our website or contact us at any time. We’re available 24 hours a day.